ALTHOUGH not draft eligible until 2026, Karim Lopez certainly made his mark during his first campaign as a Next Star in the National Basketball League (NBL), garnering international attention for his strong performances and certainly boosting his stock moving forward.

Lopez joined the New Zealand Breakers for a two-year stint in the Next Stars program, which has become a successful path to the NBA Draft for many young talents over the past five years. Lopez came into the competition as a highly regarded prospect from Mexico, and allowed himself two seasons to hone his craft against fully developed opponents, rather than the collegiate system.

Although it was a season to forget for the Breakers, Lopez was a shining light throughout season 2024/25, putting together some eye-catching performances and cementing his place in the starting lineup at just 17 years of age.

Karim Lopez

Averages – 9.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.9 blocks

WHAT HE HAS SHOWN

Although he joined the NBL at just 17 years of age to be the youngest Next Star in the competition, Lopez was one of the most exciting youngsters to hit the court throughout the 2024/25 season, and demonstrated exactly why he is considered one of the top prospects in the 2026 NBA Draft class.

Lopez came into his own as the season progressed, pushing himself into the starting lineup as a solid contributor on both ends of the floor. Offensively, he showed his natural feel for the game and smoothly found his spots with an ability to generate scoring plays for himself. Lopez can stretch the floor as a spot-up shooter from range, but his most impressive plays came when attacking the basket, showcasing his impressive vertical and timing to produce some highlight-worthy finishes at the cup.

On the defensive end, Lopez’s ability to guard multiple positions made him a tough matchup for opponents looking to force switches. He used his leap and timing to block shots, averaging just under a swat per game, and although not one of the more physically intimidating players in the competition, made his presence felt at the basket, no matter the height disparity.

HIS IMPROVEMENTS MOVING FORWARD

It was certainly an impressive debut season for Lopez in the NBL, but NBA scouts will be eager to see if he can continue his development in year two and be even more productive in his draft year. Unfortunately, some Next Stars have plateaued in their second season, and it has hurt their draft stock in the process. Being able to tighten up his handle and be more productive as a playmaker will see Lopez be viewed as a more well-rounded prospect, while staying out of foul trouble will allow the young gun to see more court time.

HIS BEST PERFORMANCE

The Breakers delivered a statement win in November, knocking off championship hopefuls Melbourne United in emphatic fashion to breathe some life into their own season, and Lopez officially arrived on the scene with a marvellous two-way fashion. The Next Star posted 17 points on 60 per cent shooting from the field, showing a knack of drawing contact and making his way to the charity stripe, where he nailed 10 shots on 13 attempts. Lopez also crashed the glass for 10 rebounds, dished out three assists and recorded a whopping four blocks in a well-rounded display that officially announced him as one of the most talented players to come through the Next Stars program.

IN A SENTENCE

Lopez showed plenty of cause for excitement in his first campaign as a Next Star, and with a season to go, has built a strong foundation that should help launch him into the 2026 NBA Draft lottery.